M-Series "Tramlining"/Steering Issues

[maguzma]

Most of our M's have had this issue at some point and some are still having this issue. Replacing tires, having an alignment done, and any other costly options are merely ways to reduce the issue, but don't completely eradicate it.

We need to make the issue known so that Infiniti will stop ignoring our complaints and blaming it on the road surface, rain grooves, etc. etc.. We've all informed our Infiniti Dealership about the issue and most are told that nothing can be done. Not anymore.

IF YOU HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED A STEERING ISSUE, PLEASE MAKE A FORMAL COMPLAINT HERE:
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/online.cfm

It takes about seven minutes. Please follow the instructions: describe the event, select your vehicle, and provide some of your information.
DO NOT select "Tires" when making your complaint. This is not an issue with our tires, it is an issue with the steering components on the M-Series, most likely being a defective steering rack. Be sure to select "STEERING" as the component name for the complaint.

There are already 11 complaints alone for the 2006 Infiniti M45. Keep adding your complaint and I'm sure we will receive a response.

Also, let's make this thread the official discussion topic for talking about reducing the tramlining and other steering issues. Post up if you have an issue, and hopefully others will chime in with recommendations.

Your Complaint Information is successfully submitted.
Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10361810

[antzrus]

Your Complaint Information is successfully submitted.
Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10361833

But changing to the Conti's did make a decided difference; for me...


Oh, I talked (mumbled) w/my dental hygienist who drives a '09 4x4 G. She has the same issue. She didn't know what tires she had.

[maguzma]

Come on folks fill these out! Lets work as a team and make this benefit fellow M'ers who need your help. THANK YOU!

[Lynchr]

I'm in.

Drove 1,200 miles last week and my hands were sore from trying to keep car in lane on Interstate at 70 mph. Wanted to pull left or right depending on the crown in road.

[tigerclaws1318]

Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10361802

[EniGmA1987]

Your Complaint Information is successfully submitted.
Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10361919

[nemo1]

I filed a complaint back in Feb 2010. ODI 10304318. funny thing, just went back to check it and for whatever reason it now shows under air bags and not steering? I suspect posting alone will not be sufficient to get the NHTSA attention.

[merlinq2]

New owner of a previously loved 07 M35 X. I love this car I mean I really love it, one thing that I need to understand is why this car tends to wander all over the road. I have read many postings that talk about this issue being related to bad tires, how can that be? Does anyone really know what the problem is and to that end what the solution is?

Thanks

[Q451990]

to NICO! I think your post will get more responses in the M forum vs. this one, so I have moved your thread to that forum. I hope you find a solution soon... the M is on my short list if the Q ever has to be replaced...

Heath

[merlinq2]

Thanks

[rgb129]

Welcome,

Tramlining is the result of the tires. Get a new set of decent tires and the problem vanishes. There are plenty of threads on here about the tramlining and tire reviews. The original Michelin's on my X did this. I replaced them with Nitto Invo's and now the Hankook Ventus V12 Evo and both were great tires. I personally prefer the Invo's over the Hankook's on this car despite the C&D review that put the Hankook's at a higher ranking. C&D's test car was MUCH lighter than the M too.

[merlinq2]

Great info, the car is booted up with Goodyear F1 GS2, this week it gets a set of Blizzaks installed in anticipation of our harsh Canadian winters. I hope to see an improvement with the snow tires, if so this will validate all that is being said about poor tires. I have also read that some owners have lobbied the Federal Government stating that there is a design flaw with the rack and pinion steering assembly. Thanks for the advice and I will lurk around and look for information as you suggested.

[SimonSaysM35]

i hate the thought of buying new tires...i replaced the back ones with the same bridgestone potenzas and now if i have to replace the front ones, what do i choose? i hate fact of riding with 2 different sets of tires on my car!!!

[WhoDey456]

Your Complaint Information is successfully submitted.
Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10362495

[SimonSaysM35]

what do u put under "equipment information"

[SimonSaysM35]

Your Complaint Information is successfully submitted.
Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10362501

[palincal]

My 2 cents on this issue. I posted about this issue back in sep'08 when I got my M with almost worn out potenzas . My car was wandering all over and it was pain to drive it on freeways.

jumpy-steering-t377012.html?hilit=jumpy%20steering

Switched to Yokohama s.drive and never though about tramlining again. Seriously, it was night and day difference. In my case, it was definitely the tires. Unfortunately these tires are very noisy due to aggressive directional tread pattern so I can't recommend these to M-sport owners.

[Mitgoman1]

Your Complaint Information is successfully submitted.
Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10373827

[PKAZ]

New to the car but have noticed the same thing. (Used M45, 23,000 miles) Hate to change tires yet but may have to. Glad I'm driving on mostly dry Arizona roads.

I filled out a complaint form. Thanks for the link.
Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10373876

[MasterFoo]

Your Complaint Information is successfully submitted.
Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10373973

[06M4.5]

any news on this?

[a.blanco0905]

Your Complaint Information is successfully submitted.
Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10375035

My 2 cents to help you guys out (with the problem), tho I personally havent noticed this issue with neither oem wheels or my aftermarket wheels. I get my wheels balanced and the car aligned very often as I hate to drive vehicles that pull to either side of the road, or that are wobbly and I think that's one of the worst things your car can be going through (having an inop cruise control is up there too), so I feel your pain.

I knock on wood tho.

[antzrus]

Your Complaint Information is successfully submitted.
Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10375035

My 2 cents to help you guys out (with the problem), tho I personally havent noticed this issue with neither oem wheels or my aftermarket wheels. I get my wheels balanced and the car aligned very often as I hate to drive vehicles that pull to either side of the road, or that are wobbly and I think that's one of the worst things your car can be going through (having an inop cruise control is up there too), so I feel your pain.

I knock on wood tho.

The issue apparently has nothing to do with wheels. But rather the issue is tires and/or steering rack that causes the tramlining. I had it dangerously (especially in the snow and slush) on the OEM Goodyear RSA's. And believe me it is magnitudes worse than that of an unbalanced or misaligned wheel etc., etc.

[a.blanco0905]

The issue apparently has nothing to do with wheels. But rather the issue is tires and/or steering rack that causes the tramlining. I had it dangerously (especially in the snow and slush) on the OEM Goodyear RSA's. And believe me it is magnitudes worse than that of an unbalanced or misaligned wheel etc., etc.

Oic, well I think I had Potenzas on the oem wheels, dont know if they previous owner had swapped them out or if they came like that from infiniti, nevertheless, while I drove on those I didnt notice anything out of the ordinary. I sure hope this issue gets resolved tho.

[moedawg140]

Your Complaint Information is successfully submitted.
Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10375174

I have had to pay for a lifetime alignment plan with a tire shop so I could take care of my alignment issues. I take it to the tire shop often for alignments because the car tramlines soon after each alignment is done, and each time I feel embarrassed because the manager says "What happened? Why are you here so quickly? Stop running over those curbs!" ...ouch...

[brunovm]

I just filed a complaint since my dealer (in Canada) told me that there are no known issues with tramlining with the M35x. My 2008 with 8k mi. Is all over the road. Infiniti dealer has done an alignment and told me that the next one would be chargabe. Needless to say I am not happy. I currently have a J30t, G35x and this M35x, which is driving me crazy. The M doesn't have the same stability as the j or the g.

BM

[antzrus]

I just filed a complaint since my dealer (in Canada) told me that there are no known issues with tramlining with the M35x. My 2008 with 8k mi. Is all over the road. Infiniti dealer has done an alignment and told me that the next one would be chargabe. Needless to say I am not happy. I currently have a J30t, G35x and this M35x, which is driving me crazy. The M doesn't have the same stability as the j or the g.

BM

Read: continental-dws-t513370.html

[06M4.5]

Now that Eric is not around does anyone else have an update on this issue?

[EniGmA1987]

I just filed a complaint since my dealer (in Canada) told me that there are no known issues with tramlining with the M35x. My 2008 with 8k mi. Is all over the road. Infiniti dealer has done an alignment and told me that the next one would be chargabe. Needless to say I am not happy. I currently have a J30t, G35x and this M35x, which is driving me crazy. The M doesn't have the same stability as the j or the g.

BM

direct the dealer here so they see that everyone has this issue.

[Ke0]

Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10384556